Office of Catechesis Mission

Introduction

Before he ascended to the Father, Jesus Christ commissioned the Apostles "to make disciples of all nations." Catechesis is the name "given to the whole of the efforts within the Church to make disciples." (Catechesi Tradendae, 1) To this end, the Office of Catechesis develops and supports programs of catechesis at Saint Rose Catholic Church.

Organization and Governance

The OC is led by the Director of Catechesis; in addition, it is staffed by the (1) Youth Ministry and PSR Coordinator, and (2) the Youth Minister and PSR Assistant. The office of Catechesis reports directly to the Pastor.

The office of catechesis includes the Parish School of Religion, Youth Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, MTSU Catholic, RCIA, and Adult Catechesis. As programs of catechesis, these activities are governed by Catechesi Tradendae and the General Directory for Catechesis.

Mission Statement

The Office of Catechesis cultivates intimate communion with Christ through systematic and organic instruction in Christian doctrine and Christ-centered community.

"[T]he definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ: only He can lead us to the love of the Father in the Spirit and make us share in the life of the Holy Trinity." (CT 5)

"All in all, it can be taken here that catechesis is an education of children, young people and adults in the faith, which includes especially the teaching of Christian doctrine imparted, generally speaking, in an organic and systematic way, with a view to initiating the hearers into the fullness of Christian life." (CT 18)

Outcomes

The Office of Catechesis equips students to (General Directory 85-86):

  • Understand and explain the central doctrines of the faith
  • Participate fully in the liturgy
  • Practice the Beatitudes and Decalogue
  • Pray with filial confidence and maturity
  • Participate resposibly in the activities and life of the local church and form Christ-centered relationships.
  • Cooperate in the missionary mandate of the Church